Wheel chair attachment



y 25, 4 v c. BQFALIJLKNER 2,441,997

WHEEL CHAIR' ATTACHMENT Filed Oct. 10, 1945 INVENTOR. C- 5.}79ULAME/l AUTOR/VEK Patented May 25, 1948 UNITED STATE'SEPATENT OFFICE 2,441,997 WHEEL CHAIR ATTACHMENT Charles B. Faulkner, Pico, Calif. Application October 10, 1945, Serial No. 621,433

Claims. (01. 155-22) This invention relates to a device for attachment to a wheel chair such as used in hospitals by convalescent patients.

The object of my invention is to provide a devic which may be readily attached to such chair and which is so designed that an occupant of the chair, who has retained the use of his hands and arms, may grip members of the device, raise himself out of the chair and, while supporting his weight by or 'on his arms, exercise his legs so as to restore them to normal suppleness and strength.

Other objects and the advantages of this invention will be apparent from the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Fig. 1 is a side elevational view of a device embodying the invention; and

Fig. 2 is a front view thereof taken substantially on line 2--2 of Fig. 1.

Any wheel chair suitable for use by a convalescent patient may be chosen and such chair is in the drawings generally indicated by the letter A. It has its wheel axle l extending beyond the traction wheels B, C.

The device of the invention comprises a rectangular frame having vertically disposed rear side members 2, and front side members 3, which are secured at the top to a, rectangular frame including side rails 6, 1 and cross braces 8, 9. The vertical side members are shown fitted at the bottom to receive smaller wheels I0, I I, which are mounted to rotate on pivots l2, l3 of the side are held slightly elevated above the floor surface while the frame of my device remains attached to the wheel chair, but that they will ride on the floor when the device is detached therefrom.

The device should be so proportioned relative to the chair that the patient may reach up to grip the side rail-s 5, 1 and by exertion of strength raise himself into standing position. He may then exercise his legs until sufficient strength and suppleness are restored to enable him to step off the chair on to the floor. A further step is to learn to acquire balance in walking and when this stage of recovery has been attained, it is preferable to detach the device from the chair so.

that the wheels [0, will come to rest on the floor. When thereupon he lifts himself into upright position within the frame, he may take steps forward and at the same time move the device without having to drag along the weight of the chair.

The frame should, of course, be well braced so as to support the weight of the patient Without danger of the vertical members spreading, and it is to this end shown made with corner braces I6, l7. It is also well to place padding l8, IS on the rails 6, 1 and cross braces 8, 9 in order to provide better gripping surfaces and arm rests and so as to protect the head and body of the patient while rising out of the chair or reseating himself.

I claim:

1. An exercising device for convalescent patients for attachment to a wheelchair comprising a rectangular frame having vertically disposed front and rear members secured to the corners thereof, wheels at the bottom of said members to rest on the floor, depending arms on said rear members extending parallel to and spaced from the same, said arms being perforated at the bottom to engage the wheel axle of t e chair, and means locking said arms in position on the said axle.

2. An exercising device for convalescent patients for attachment to a wheelchair comprising a rectangular frame having pendent vertically disposed front and rear members secured to the corners thereof, wheels at the bottom of said members to rest on the floor, depending arms on said rear members extending parallel to and spaced from the same, said arms being perforated at the bottom to engage the wheel axle of the chair, the length and positioning of said arms being such that the bottom wheels of the rear members are held slightly elevated above the floor, and means locking said arms in position on the said axle.

3. An exercising device for convalescent patients for attachment to a wheelchair comprising a rectangular frame having pendent vertically disposed front and rear members secured to the corners thereof, braces at each corner to restrain the vertical members from spreading under the weight of a patient supported thereby, wheels at the bottom of said members to rest on the floor, depending arms on said rear members extending parallel to and spaced from the same, said arms being perforated at the bottom to engage the wheel axle of the chair, and means locking said arms in position on the said axle.

4. An exercising device for attachment to a 7 Wheelchair comprising a rectangular frame having front and rear vertical members secured to the corners thereof, Wheels at the bottom of said members to rest on the floor, depending arms on said rear members extending parallel to and 5. In an exercising device for a wheel chair, 2a; rectangular frame having vertical front/and rear members secured to and pendent fromthe'comers thereof, corner braces at each corner: for said vertical members, wheels atrthe bottom of the a members adapted to rest on thefloor; dependingarms on said rear members extending parallel 2119' and spaced from'the same; said arms being perforated at the bottom to engage the wheel axle of the chair, the length and positioning 'of said arms being such that the bottom wheels of the 5 rear members are held slightly elevated above the fioor, means locking said arms in position on the said axle, and padding on the side and end members of the frame.

REFERENCES CITED "The following references are of record in the V-VYUNITED STATES PATENTS ..N nmber.. I Name Date 11 972-2557 "Greene Sept. 4, 1534 c em-Esta. :"EAULKNER. s 

